Kilde Presented with Dolomites Val Gardena Sudtirol Award

Photo Credit: Val Gardena/Groden

This weekend, the Saslong Classic Club and Dolomites Val Gardena worked together to honor Aleksander Aamodt Kilde at Monte Pana by awarding him with the Val Gardena Sudtirol Trophy (formerly known as the Sudtirol Ski Trophy).

This award is presented to the athlete who wins the most World Cup points in super-G and downhill is awarded with a cash prize of 5,000 euros, a wooden bust, a short vacation in Val Gardena/Gröden, and – as was introduced last year – a guided mountain tour to the Sassolungo mountain. 

During the ceremony, where Kilde was joined by fans and his family, he shared how he enjoys being in Val Gardena. He said, “It’s no longer a secret that I feel at home in Val Gardena, not just in the winter. This region is an absolute dream in the summer as well. The green meadows, the beautiful mountains … every time I’m welcomed here with open arms. It’s fantastic. Will I climb the Sassolungo? Well, let’s see, it would somehow intrigue me.” 

Kilde has won 21 World Cup races, five of which were on the legendary Saslong. He has not let his success go to his head, instead, he is already preparing for the next season. 

“As you age, you must do a little more yearly to maintain the same power. I used my time here in Val Gardena/Gröden for off-season training. At the end of August, we’ll travel to Chile with the team for about a month to train on snow. Recently, I was on the Stelvio Pass and completed some initial sessions there. I’m looking forward to the start in Sölden and, of course, can’t wait to return to Val Gardena in December,’ said Kilde.

Report adapted from Val Gardena – Groden Release.